We will help revive the Obuase mine – President Akufo – Addo

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has assured of his government’s commitment to help revive the operations of AngloGold Ashanti’s Obuase mine.

According to President Akufo–Addo, revamping of the Obuase mine is also part of the government’s agenda to create jobs for the youth in the area.

The President gave the assurance in a meeting with the chief of Adansi Opagyakotwere Bonsra Afriyie II in his palace.

“The Adansi They started some discussions with the previous government, on how to rebuild the ailing mine and that will go on as planned and will surely be successful under my watch.”

“We thank God for oil discovery but we must continue utilizing the gains we have made and continue to make with the gold and I will ensure that this mine is revived to create jobs and bring life to this area,” the President added.

President Akufo-Addo assured that the government will provide all legitimate assistance needed to revamp the mines due to its significance in revenue generation for the country.

On his part, the chief of Adansi Opagyakotwere Bonsra Afriyie II, pledged his support to the government to succeed in bringing life to the area and reviving the Obuase mine.

The President's assurance comes after the Chief Executive Officer of the mining giants AngloGold Ashanti Mr. Srinivasan Venkatakrishnan confirmed that, illegal miners who forcibly took over the company’s mine in Obuase have been cleared.

The move, according to Mr. Venkatakrishnan, has paved way for the company to take a decision on the fate of the mine which has been partially shut down for the last two years.

Mr. Venkatakrishnan speaking on the sidelines of an African mining conference told reporters in South Africa that AngloGold was currently exploring a number of options for the asset (Obuase Mine) including its possible sale or redevelopment.

He noted that, “the invasion accounted for loss-making, operation by thousands of illegal miners made the asset a toxic one that underscored the social and political risks of mining in West Africa but the military sacked them without any injury or loss of life."